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Best airline-approved pet carriers for travel in 2024
Pet Ami, Away, Mr. Peanut’s
Spring break is nearly here, and summer travel is just on the horizon. About 70% of American households have at least one pet and 78% of pet owners travel with their pets. That means traveling with the right airline-approved pet carrier can be a vacation game changer this summer.
The experts at CBS Essentials have done the heavy lifting, finding the best pet carriers that suit your furry friend’s needs. Keep reading for our picks for the best airline-approved pet carriers of 2024. Now all you have to do is book your flight.
The best airline-approved pet carriers for travel in 2024
Explore our top picks to find the perfect carrier for your furry friend’s next travel adventure.
Learn more about each of our selections below.
Best for frequent fliers: Away The Pet Carrier
Away
The Pet Carrier from Away luggage transports canine or feline friends in sleek style. It features sherpa bedding to feel like an at-home pet bed and is lined with water-resistant material in case of accidents.
Latch this pet carrier via a sleeve to your Away luggage when you’re on the move.
“I bought two of these for my 8-pound dachshund mix and my 14-pound cavalier. Both fit comfortably and have plenty of space,” says one reviewer. “I love the clasps on the back that attach to the seatbelt. We also took them on a Southwest flight and had no issues with the carriers fitting under the seat side by side.”
Why we like Away The Pet Carrier:
- It holds pets up to 18 pounds.
- It’s water-resistant for easy clean-up.
- It meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
Best 2-in-1 carrier and travel bed: Wild One travel carrier
Wild One
Wild One, a brand focused solely on furry friends, has constructed a streamlined and reasonably priced travel carrier that doubles as an on-the-go pet bed. Mesh walls offer breathability during travel, while the shoulder strap detaches to become a travel leash. The interior cushion also folds down completely, so the carrier can double as a pet bed.
This carrier is airline-compliant and is recommended for use with dogs up to 16 pounds. It’s priced at $125.
Why we like the Wild One travel carrier:
- It comes in two classic colors and two limited edition colors.
- It fits under the seat in front of you on airlines.
- The shoulder strap doubles as a leash.
Best for easy clean-up: Diggs Passenger pet carrier
Diggs
The Diggs Passenger carrier is designed for easy cleaning. You can attach a pee pad to the carrier bed. Then, if your pet gets car sick or has an accident, you can easily swap out the pee pad through the side panel. The carrier meets most airline requirements and has been crash-tested for car travel.
Choose from four colors. One color option is currently on sale.
Why we like the Diggs Passenger carrier:
- It’s easy to clean if your pet has an accident.
- The carrier has great ventilation to keep your pet comfortable.
- It was crash-tested and received a 5-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety for car travel.
Best dog crate for travel: Impact collapsible dog crate
Impact
Frequent fliers looking for an indestructible crate for travel should consider investing in an Impact collapsible dog crate. Engineered out of military-grade aluminum, these lightweight, stackable crates offer great features, including handles, airline rails and ample ventilation.
It is available in several sizes to accommodate a range of pets. Prices vary by size.
Why we like the Impact collapsible dog crate:
- It’s available in seven colors, from neutrals to a bolder pink shade.
- The crate comes with a lifetime guarantee.
- It’s made with durable aluminum.
Best pet backpack for travel: PetAmi pet backpack
PetAmi
Those who prefer transporting their pets backpack-style should invest in this highly-rated pet backpack from PetAmi. Designed for small to medium pets, the carrier offers two-sided access, breathable mesh windows, pockets for your personal items and a safety strap to secure your pet during transport.
“This is so cute and highly functional. I love the support it has for me. It’s lightweight and sturdy all at the same time. I also love how roomy it is for my cat.” shared one Amazon buyer.
Why we like the PetAmi pet backpack:
Best for pets traveling in cargo: Petmate Sky Kennel
Petmate
Unfortunately, not all pets can fly in the main cabin of an airplane. Designed for cargo transport, this pet kennel with ventilation on all sides is available in six sizes, ranging from 21 to 48 inches, and protects animals and keeps them safe.
It meets most airline cargo specifications for easy and safe travel. All sizes include clip-on bowls and ID stickers, while the 21- and 28-inch versions offer a handle for carrying. Make sure to get the right size kennel for your pet: They’ll need space to stand, turn around, sit erect or lie down.
Prices vary by size.
Why we like the Petmate Sky Kennel:
Most versatile travel carrier: Lesure 2-in-1 pet backpack and travel carrier
Amazon
This TSA-approved pet carrier doubles as a backpack. The carrier features breathable mesh walls, four self-locking zippers and a built-in safety leash so that you can feel confident that your furry friend is secure.
The two-in-one carrier can attach to your luggage, be worn as a backpack or be carried with standard pet carrier handles. It’s suitable for dogs or cats up to 15 pounds.
Why we like the Lesure 2-in-1 pet backpack and travel carrier:
Best 5-in-1 pet carrier and stroller: Ibiyaya 5-in-1 combo pet carrier
Chewy
This compact in-flight pet carrier and stroller is manufactured to baby stroller standards and quickly converts to fit all your travel needs.
This pet carrier is currently priced at $202, reduced from $225.
Why we like this 5-in-1 pet carrier and stroller:
- This carrier can easily be converted into a shoulder carrier, a dog back pack carrier, a pet car seat, a dog stroller, or a pet carrier with wheels.
- It’s compacted and converted within minutes.
- This carrier is EVA airline-approved.
What to consider when buying a pet carrier
Each airline has its own set of rules regarding pets traveling with you inside the plane, or placed underneath the aircraft in the cargo hold. If your pet is traveling with you inside the plane, its carrier will need to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Generally speaking, that means your in-flight pet carrier shouldn’t exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height), or roughly 21.5 by 15.5 by 9 inches — according to AAA.
For dog crates traveling as cargo, the crate must be enclosed, but have ventilation openings occupying at least 16% of total wall space on two opposing walls. The crate must open easily, but should also be durable enough to sustain normal cargo transit logistics (loading, unloading and transportation). When shopping for airline-approved pet carriers, it’s a good idea to check your carrier’s website first for restrictions.
Most soft-sided travel carriers fit comfortably underneath the seat in front of you so your pet stays close to you during the flight. Common features include mesh sides or windows for breathability, removable pads for comfort, straps to attach the carrier to a seat belt or your luggage and pockets to stash essentials.
If your pet can only fly in the cargo space underneath the plane, look for hard-sided pet carriers to offer the most protection during the flight.
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Floods, landslides struck parts of Bosnia as residents slept, leaving at least 16 dead and several missing
A severe rainstorm struck Bosnia overnight Friday, killing at least 16 people in floods and landslides in several towns and villages in central and southern parts of the country, with surging waters rushing into people’s homes as they were sleeping.
Rescue services in the south said several people were missing and called on volunteers and the army to assist as roads were closed and houses left without electricity.
Josip Kalem, a resident of Fojnica, one of the towns hit by the floods, said his dog’s barking woke him up at around 4 a.m. When he came out on the terrace, he saw the water rising rapidly.
“I came down, woke up my wife, and we looked around, we could not get out of the house. We saw more and more water coming in,” he said. “All of a sudden, the water was flooding the garage, basement, my car — everything. The water swept it all away, including my dog. Flood took it downstream.”
Andja Milesic, another resident of Fojnica, also said she was caught by surprise in the middle of the night.
“When I woke up, my bedroom floor was already soaked. I walked into the hallway — water was everywhere — the living room, everywhere,” she said. “It was horrible.”
Armin Durgut / AP
Darko Juka, a spokesman for the local administration, said at least 14 people had died in and around the southern town of Jablanica. Officials later said two more bodies have been found.
“Those are the ones who have been discovered by rescuers,” he said. “We still don’t know the final death toll.”
“I don’t remember such a crisis since the war,” Juka said referring to the 1992-95 war in Bosnia that left the country in ruins. “The scale of this chaotic situation is harrowing.”
Defense Minister Zukan Helez told N1 regional television that troops have been engaged to help and that the casualties were reported.
Helez said that “hour after hour we are receiving news about new victims. … Our first priority is to save the people who are alive and buried in houses where the landslides are.”
A pregnant woman lost her baby after she was rescued from the floods and transferred to a hospital in the regional center of Mostar. Authorities said doctors were fighting for her life as well. Separately, a child was successfully rescued and hospitalized, local officials said.
Rescue services in the towns of Jablanica and Kiseljak said the power was off overnight and mobile phones lost their signal.
The Jablanica fire station said that the town was completely inaccessible because roads and trainlines were closed.
“The police informed us that the railroad is also blocked,” the state rescue service said in a statement. “You can’t get in or out of Jablanica at the moment. Landline phones are working, but mobile phones have no signal.”
It urged people not to venture out on the flooded streets.
Human-caused climate change increases the intensity of rainfall because warm air holds more moisture. This summer, the Balkans were also hit by long-lasting record temperatures, causing a drought. Scientists said the dried-out land has hampered the absorption of floodwaters.
Armin Durgut / AP
Drone footage broadcast on Bosnian media showed villages and towns completely submerged under water, while videos on social networks showed dramatic scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads.
One of the busiest roads linking Sarajevo with the Adriatic coast via Jablanica was swept into a river, together with a railway line in a huge landslide, according to photos.
“Many people are endangered because of big waters and landslides. There is information about victims and many injured and missing persons,” said the civic protection service.
Authorities urged people to stay on the upper floors of their homes. Reports said surging waters swept away domestic animals and cars as the water swiftly filled up lower floors of buildings.
The heavy rains and strong winds were also reported in neighboring Croatia, where several roads were closed and the capital of Zagreb prepared for the swollen Sava River to burst its banks.
Heavy winds have hampered traffic along the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea, and flash floods caused by heavy rain threatened several towns and villages in Croatia.
Floods caused by torrential rains were also reported in Montenegro, south of Bosnia, where some villages were cut off and roads and homes flooded.
In 2014, floodwaters triggered more than 3,000 landslides across the Balkans, laying waste to entire towns and villages and disturbing land mines leftover from the region’s 1990s war, along with warning signs that marked the unexploded weapons.
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Eye Opener: At least 70 people killed in gang attack in Haiti, United Nations says
Floods, landslides struck parts of Bosnia as residents slept, leaving at least 16 dead and several missing